JPH11157166A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an opening/closing section for opening or closing an opening section of a fixing side of a body from moving to a detecting position of an opening/ closing detection switch member by engaging both of a pair of engagement members with a member to be engaged when the opening/closing section is not adequately maintained on a closing position. SOLUTION: When an opening/closing section 16 which is deformed such that a side end at a side in the engagement direction L is brought into proximity with a fixing side body is abutted to a reforming member 46 provided to the fixing side body, only the abutting section of the opening/closing section 16 to the reforming member 46 is maintained on the closing position and a portion from the reforming member 46 in the width direction T to the other end at the side of engagement direction L is maintained at a side of the opening position with respect to the closing position. As a result, engagement pawls 34, 36 are not engaged with an engagement plate 40. As the opening/closing section 16 is not maintained on the closing position in this condition, the opening/closing section 16 is moved toward the opening direction by virtue of an elastic force of a coil spring 30 when a pressure to the opening/closing section 16 in the closing direction is removed so that a detection switch for detecting the opening/closing section 16 at the closing position is turned off.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and the like, and more particularly, to a fixed body which is a part of the apparatus body and an opening provided in the fixed body. And an opening and closing unit for opening and closing the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, etc., a fixed side body which is a part of the main body of the apparatus and has an opening for replacement or repair of parts,
There is an opening / closing portion movably supported from a closed position for closing the opening of the fixed body to an open position for opening the opening. Such an image forming apparatus is usually held at a closed position where the opening / closing section closes the opening of the fixed-side body, but when it is necessary to expose the inside of the fixed-side body, the opening / closing section held at the closed position is required. Move part to open position.

In the above-described image forming apparatus, the opening / closing section moves from the closed position to the open position during operation of the apparatus.
In order to prevent the device from operating in a state where the opening / closing section is not in the closed position, a lock mechanism that holds the opening / closing section in the closed position and a switch member for opening / closing section detection that detects the opening / closing section in the closed position are provided. ing. Such a switch member is configured as, for example, an interlock switch,
When the opening / closing section is not detected, the power supply by the power supply section disposed inside the apparatus is cut off.

[0004]

However, when the user applies a force in the direction of the closing position to the opening / closing portion in the open position, the force in the direction of the closing position causes the opening / closing portion to twist and deform, May cause tilt. At this time, the lock mechanism described above is arranged on the pair of engaging members arranged on the opening / closing section and on the fixed body, and when the opening / closing section moves to the closed position, it engages with both of the pair of engaging members to open and close. If the opening / closing section is deformed or inclined and the opening / closing section is moved to the closing position, only a part of the opening / closing section moves to the closing position. When only one of the pair of engaging members is engaged with the engaged member, the opening / closing portion may be in a one-side locked state. In this one-locked state, only a part of the opening / closing portion deformed toward the closing position side is held at the closing position by the locking mechanism, and the other portion between the opening / closing portion and the fixed body has a pair of engagement members. There is a case where a gap larger than the normal state is formed when both are engaged with the engaged member, and the switch member for detecting the open / close portion may detect the open / close portion. In the state where a larger gap than the normal state is formed between the opening / closing section and the fixed side body, for example, if the opening / closing section has a structure of a part of the sheet conveying mechanism, the image recording on the recording paper is normal. In addition, foreign matter that may cause a device failure easily enters through a gap between the opening / closing section and the fixed body.

In view of the above, the present invention considers the fact that both the pair of engaging members are engaged with the engaged member and the opening / closing portion is not properly held at the closed position. It is an object to provide an image forming apparatus that does not move to a detection position.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: a fixed side body constituting a part of the apparatus main body; and a closed position for closing an opening provided in the fixed side body. An opening / closing unit movably supported to an open position to open the unit, a pair of engaging members arranged on one of the fixed body and the opening / closing unit, and arranged on the other of the fixed body and the opening / closing unit. An engaged member that engages with both of the pair of engaging members when the opening / closing portion moves to the closed position and holds the opening / closing portion at the closed position; and an opening / closing portion that detects the opening / closing portion at the closed position. A detecting switch member; and a blocking unit that does not move the opening / closing unit to the closed position until both of the pair of engaging members engage with the engaged member.

In this case, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, when both of the pair of engaging members engage with the engaged member, the engaging member and the engaged member engaged with each other are formed. Hold the opening and closing part in the closed position. However, when a part of the opening / closing portion is deformed in a direction of coming into contact with or separating from the fixed body, only one of the engaging members engages with the engaged member, and the other engaging member does not engage with the engaged member. Sometimes. In this case, claim 1
According to the image forming apparatus described in (1), the blocking unit does not move the opening / closing unit to the closed position until both of the pair of engaging members engage with the engaged member, and engages with both engaging members. The switch member detects the opening / closing portion only in a state where the joining member is engaged.

[0008] In the lock mechanism comprising the engaging member and the engaged member according to the present invention, either the engaging member or the engaged member may be provided on the opening / closing portion and the fixed body. Note that the closed position refers to a state in which two sets of lock mechanisms provided between the opening / closing unit and the fixed body are in an engaged state.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that:
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blocking unit prevents a part of the opening / closing unit deformed in the direction of the closed position from moving in the direction of the fixed-side body, and further includes another opening / closing unit. It has a correction member that allows a part to move toward the closed position.

Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when a part of the opening / closing part is deformed toward the fixed body, the correcting member moves the other part toward the closed position. Can be moved. Thereby, even when a part of the opening / closing section is deformed toward the fixed body side, the deformation of the opening / closing section can be corrected and the opening / closing section can be correctly moved to the closed position.

In this case, the correction member can be provided on one of the fixed body and the opening / closing section, or on both the fixed body and the opening / closing section.

The image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention provides
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blocking unit is provided on the engaging member, and moves the engaged member to an engaging position with the engaging member until the engaging member reaches a closed position. It has a blocking guide that does not move. The engagement position in this case means not only that the engaging member and the engaged member move to a predetermined relative position in the contacting / separating direction, but also to the direction in which the engaged member intersects the contacting / separating direction. It refers to the state of being moved and engaged with the engaging member.

Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect, when the blocking guide portion is provided on one of the pair of engaging members, even if a part of the opening / closing portion is deformed toward the fixed body side. Until one of the engagement members reaches the closed position, the other of the pair of engagement members does not engage with the engaged member, and the blocking guide portion is provided on both of the pair of engagement members. Even if a part of the opening / closing part is deformed toward the closed position, both of the pair of engaging members engage with the engaged member until both of the pair of engaging members reach the closed position. Nothing.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 3 show an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main body 12 in which an internal space is separated from a space outside the apparatus by a housing-like exterior. The apparatus main body 12 includes a fixed body 14 in which various components related to image recording based on an electrophotographic process are arranged in a casing-shaped exterior, and an opening / closing section 16 installed on the fixed body 14. Have. The opening / closing section 16 is provided with a connecting shaft 18 at one end thereof, and the connecting shaft 18 is supported by a bearing (not shown) provided at one end of the fixed-side body 14. As a result, the fixed body 1
Numeral 4 supports the opening / closing portion 16 so as to swing from the closed position shown in FIG. 1 to the open position shown in FIG. 3 around the axis S of the connecting shaft 18.

Hereinafter, in the description of the present embodiment, a direction parallel to the axis S on the installation surface F of the apparatus main body 12 is defined as a width direction T, and a direction orthogonal to the width direction T is defined as a depth direction D. Do.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the opening / closing portion 16 is in the closed position, the opening / closing portion 16 forms the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12 together with the fixed body 14. Fixed side body 14 and opening / closing section 16
On the upper surface of the apparatus body 12 formed by
, A substantially rectangular paper discharge portion 20 having an inclined surface gradually increasing with distance from the axis S is formed. The paper discharge unit 20 includes a fixed paper discharge unit 20A formed by the fixed body 14 and located away from the axis S in the depth direction D, and a paper discharge unit 20A formed by the opening / closing unit 16 and extending in the depth direction D. And an open / close side paper discharge unit 20B arranged at a position close to the center S.

On the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12, a housing-like stepped portion is located adjacent to the paper discharge unit 20 in the depth direction D and protrudes to a position higher than the lower end of the inclined surface of the paper discharge unit 20 near the axis S. 22 are formed. The step portion 22 forms a wall portion 22A that rises substantially vertically from the lower end of the paper discharge portion 20, and a paper discharge port 22B that opens into the inside of the apparatus main body 12 is opened in the wall portion 22A. Further, the fixed-side body 14
An operation unit 24 is provided on the upper surface of the printer 1 adjacent to the fixed body discharge unit 20A in the width direction T. The operation unit 24 includes operation keys for the user to input various command signals, a liquid crystal panel for displaying information to the user,
Light emitting diodes and the like for displaying various warnings and the like to the user are arranged.

In the fixed body 14, one side surface away from the axis S in the depth direction D is formed as a front panel 26. At the lower end of the front panel 26, a detachable opening 26A into which the paper tray 28 is inserted is formed as shown in FIG. By inserting a sheet tray 28 containing a bundle of sheets P through the attachment / detachment opening 26A, the sheet tray 28 is removably attached to the apparatus main body 12, and the supply of the sheet P from the sheet tray 28 to the apparatus main body 12 is performed. Will be possible.

The opening / closing section 16 is formed by integrally forming a pair of side panel sections 29 disposed on both sides of the opening / closing side discharge section 20B, the step 22 and both sides of the opening / closing side discharge section 20B in the lateral width direction T. It is. This side panel part 29
Is a paper guide surface 29A that rises substantially perpendicularly from the side end of the open / close side paper discharge unit 20B in the lateral width direction T;
And a surface extending from the upper end of the guide surface 29A substantially parallel to the end of the opening / closing portion 16 in the lateral width direction T. Further, as shown in FIG. 3 as a whole, the opening / closing unit 16
It is formed in a thin-walled housing shape whose bottom portion facing the inside of the fixed body 14 is open.

As shown in FIG. 3, a coil spring 30 projecting in the direction of the fixed body 14 is provided on the back surface of the opening / closing section 16 facing the inside of the fixed body 14. Has a silencer 32 attached. Here, the coil spring 30 and the silencing material 3
Reference numeral 2 denotes a rear surface of the opening / closing section 16, which is disposed substantially at the center in the lateral width direction T and at a position sandwiched between the opening / closing section 16 in the closed position and the fixed body 14. When the opening / closing section 16 rotates from the open position to just before the closed position, the sound absorbing material 32 having a shock absorbing property abuts on the fixed body 14 to absorb the shock. In addition, the coil spring 30 is used to
2 starts compression from a position immediately before the closed position where it comes into contact with the fixed-side body 14, and from this position the opening / closing portion 16 in the closed position
The elastic force in the opening direction acts on the opening.

The opening / closing section 16 has a pair of engaging claws 34 and 36 at the swinging tip end opposite to the connecting shaft 18.
As shown in FIG. 4, the pair of engaging claws 34, 36
Project from the opening / closing section 16 in the direction of the fixed-side body 14 and each of the coil springs 30 in the width direction T.
Are arranged symmetrically about the center. Fixed body 1
4 has an opening 3 communicating with the inside of the fixed body 14.
8 are formed, and are closed by the opening / closing section 16. An engagement plate 40 is arranged on the fixed body 14 at a position on the periphery of the opening 38 facing the tips of the engagement claws 34, 36 of the opening / closing section 16. A pair of locking claws 3
As shown in FIG. 4, the engagement plates 40, 36 and the engagement plate 40 constitute a part of a lock mechanism that holds the opening / closing unit 16 in the closed position.

As shown in FIG. 3, a detection projection 42 projecting toward the fixed body 14 is provided on the back surface of the opening / closing section 16. A detection switch 44 is arranged on the movement locus of the detection protrusion 42. The detection switch 44 is pressed by the detection protrusion 42 to detect the opening / closing section 16 when the opening / closing section 16 is in the closed position as shown in FIG.

Next, details of the lock mechanism, the detection projection 42 and the detection switch 44 will be described.

FIG. 4 shows the opening / closing portion 16 properly held at the closed position by the lock mechanism. The engaging claws 34 and 36 are both engaged with the engaging plate 40. FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the image forming apparatus 10 in which the opening / closing section 16 is correctly held at the closed position by the lock mechanism. The closed position in FIGS. 4 and 5 is such that the opening / closing part 16 is manufactured according to the specification and there is no subsequent deformation. Here, FIG. 4 shows the opening / closing portion 16, the engagement plate 40, and the correction member 46 as viewed from the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 5, and the illustration of the step portion 22 is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the engaging claws 34, 36 arranged on the opening / closing section 16 are each formed in a substantially wedge shape. The tip of one engagement claw 34 has an inclined portion 34A
Are provided as an engagement guide surface with the engagement plate 40.
The inclined portion 34 </ b> A forms a surface that is inclined with respect to the swing direction (hereinafter, referred to as opening / closing direction M) of the opening / closing portion 16 on one side end surface of the engaging claw 34 that is separated from the coil spring 30 in the lateral width direction T. ing. Inclined portion 3 of engagement claw 34
At the base of 4A, a concave portion is formed by recessing the side end surface of the engaging claw 34 in a substantially U-shape in a direction approaching the coil spring 30. The concave portion is substantially parallel to the axis S in this concave portion, 16
Is provided with a hook portion 34B which forms a plane facing the opening direction of the hook.

Also, the tip of the other engaging claw 36 is provided with an inclined portion 36A similarly to the engaging claw 34. At the base of the inclined portion 36A of the engagement claw 36, the engagement claw 36
A vertical portion 36B having a plane substantially parallel to the opening / closing direction M is provided on a side end surface of the vertical portion 36B.
A substantially U-shaped concave portion is formed and a hook portion 36C is provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, a holder 50 which is integrally protruded from the fixed-side paper discharging portion 20A and enters the opening 38 below the opening / closing portion 16 in the closed position is provided on the upper portion of the fixed-side body 14. Are formed. The opening / closing section 16 makes the silencing member 32 abut on the flat section 48, which is the top surface of the holder 50, just before the closing position. The holder 50 holds the engagement plate 40 so as to be movable by a predetermined length in the lateral width direction T, and that the longitudinal direction of the engagement plate 40 is substantially parallel to the axis S. The engaging plate 40 is formed in a substantially C shape having a longitudinal right-angled cross section opened downward, and as shown in FIG. The insertion holes 40A and 40B are opened. The engagement plate 40 has a coil spring 52 connected to the fixed body 14 and constantly engages the engagement plate 40 movably held by the holder 50 with reference to the position of the coil spring 30 in the lateral width direction T. It is urged in a direction approaching the movement locus of the dovetail 36 (hereinafter, referred to as an engagement direction L).

As shown in FIG. 3, the fixed side body 14 has a release member 54 disposed on a side plate portion having one side surface formed in the lateral width direction T in a casing-shaped exterior thereof. The release member 54 is supported movably in the lateral width direction T on a side plate portion of the fixed body 14. The release member 54
As shown in FIG. 4, the pressing shaft 54 </ b> A protrudes from the side plate portion of the fixed body 14 toward the engaging plate 40, and the tip of the pressing shaft 54 </ b> A is provided at the side end of the engaging plate 40. It is in contact with the rising wall. Therefore, by pressing the release member 54 from the outside of the apparatus main body 12 toward the inside of the fixed body 14, the pressing shaft 54 </ b> A engages the engagement plate 40 in the lateral width direction T against the urging force of the coil spring 52. It is slid in a direction opposite to the direction L (hereinafter, referred to as a releasing direction R) to release the engagement with the engaging claws 34, 36. When the pressing of the release member 54 is stopped, the engagement plate 40 returns to the engagement position with the engagement claws 34 and 36 shown in FIG.

Here, when the opening / closing portion 16 which is not unnecessarily deformed so as to be inclined with respect to the axis S is swung from the open position to the closed position, as shown in FIG. 3
4 and 36 are respectively engaged with the engagement plate 40, and the entire opening / closing section 16 is held in the closed position for closing the opening 38. In this closed position, the lower end of the swinging tip of the opening / closing section 16 is substantially parallel to the axis S.

As shown in FIG. 5, the fixed body 14 is integrally provided with a correction member 46 projecting toward the opening / closing section 16 on the holder 50. This straightening member 46
As shown in FIG. 4, is disposed between the engaging claw 34 of the opening / closing section 16 and the left end of the opening / closing section 16 in the lateral width direction T, and the upper end 46A thereof is in the closed position in the opening / closing direction M. To match the height of the lower end of a certain opening / closing part 24,
A protruding length from the flat portion 48 is set. Thus, when the opening / closing section 16 moving in the closing direction reaches the closing position, the correction member 46 hits the lower end of the swinging tip of the opening / closing section 16, and the portion hit by the opening / closing section 16 further moves in the closing direction. Restrict that.

In this embodiment, the detection projection 42, the detection switch 44, and the correction member 46 are arranged such that they are all aligned on the same straight line perpendicular to the axis S. Accordingly, when the contact portion of the opening / closing portion 16 with the correction member 46 reaches the closed position, the detection protrusion 42
That is, when the opening / closing section 16 abuts on the correction member 46, the lever 44A of the detection switch 44 is pushed to the operating position shown in FIG. Here, the control unit (not shown) that has received the OFF signal from the detection switch 44 cuts off power supply from the power supply unit inside the device to the electrical components inside the device main body 12 excluding the control unit. Therefore, when the detection switch 44 is on, the recording operation by the image forming apparatus is enabled, and when the detection switch 44 is off, the recording operation by the image forming apparatus is prohibited.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the fixed body 26, an image forming cartridge 58, which is a replacement part, is disposed below the open / close side paper discharge unit 20B at the closed position. The image forming cartridge 58 integrally includes a drum 60 as an image carrier, a cleaning device 62, a charging roll 64, a developing device 66, and the like, which are arranged to face the outer peripheral surface of the drum 60. A handle 68 is provided on the surface facing the open / close side paper discharge unit 20B at the closed position.
Further, in the fixed-side body 14, a transfer roll 70 is disposed so as to contact the outer peripheral surface of the drum 60, and an exposure device 72 is disposed below the fixed-side paper discharge unit 20 </ b> A and adjacent to the image forming cartridge 58. Have been. The image forming cartridge 58 has a slit-like opening 58A through which the laser light B emitted from the exposure device 72 to the drum 60 passes.
Are formed.

In the fixed body 14, a feed roller 74 is provided above the paper tray 28 mounted on the apparatus main body 12.
Is supported. The feed roll 74 rotates a predetermined amount when feeding the paper P from the paper tray 28, thereby separating one sheet of paper P from the bundle of sheets of paper P stored in the paper tray 28. P to paper tray 28
Send out from. This one sheet of paper P is transported in the apparatus main body 12 along a transport path C indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, and is discharged from the paper output port 22B to the outside of the apparatus main body 12 through a toner transfer and fixing process. The paper is stacked on the paper discharge unit 20. In the apparatus main body 12, a transport roll 76, a registration roll 78, a transfer roll 70 contacting the drum 60, a fixing device 80, and a discharge roll 82 are arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side along the transport path C. .

Further, in the fixed body 14, a manual paper feed unit 84 on which the paper P inserted by hand from outside the apparatus main body 12 is placed is provided above the paper tray 28. Feed roll 86 above 84
Is supported.

In the image forming apparatus for recording an image on the paper P based on the electrophotographic process configured as described above, the image forming cartridge 58 is configured as a replacement part as described above. This is because when the number of exposures of the image carrier made of the photoconductive material on the drum 60 exceeds a certain number of times, the photoconductive material deteriorates and the image quality deteriorates. The reason is that the toner on the drum 60 cannot be collected by the developing device 62, and the developing device 66 cannot develop the electrostatic latent image when all the developing toner contained in the developing device 66 is consumed. .

When the image forming cartridge 58 is replaced with a new one for the above-described reason, in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the release member 54 arranged on the side plate of the fixed body 14 is pressed. As a result, the engagement plate 40 at the engagement position is slid in the release direction R against the urging force of the coil spring 52, and the engagement plate 40 and the engagement claws 34, 36
Is released, the opening / closing section 16 swings in the opening direction by the elastic force of the coil spring 30, and the opening 38 provided in the fixed body 14 is opened. After this,
When the opening / closing portion 16 is swung to the open position shown in FIG. 3, the entire upper surface of the image forming cartridge 58 mounted in the fixed body 14 on which the handle 68 is disposed is exposed to the outside. By raising the image forming cartridge 58 upward, the image forming cartridge 58 can be extracted from the inside of the fixed body 14 to the outside through the opening 38. Thereafter, a new image forming cartridge 58 is inserted into the fixed body 14 through the opening 38, and the opening / closing section 16 is returned to the closed position. 16 is held in the closed position, and the recording operation by the image forming apparatus becomes possible.

When the paper P is jammed in the transport path C in the apparatus main body 12 or when the image forming apparatus breaks down, the opening / closing unit 1 is replaced in the same manner as when the image forming cartridge 58 is replaced.
6 to the open position, the fixed body 14
To remove the jammed paper P by exposing the inside thereof, and to repair the paper P.

(Operation of First Embodiment) Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

When the opening / closing section 16 at the open position shown in FIG. 3 is swung in the closing direction, as described above, when the opening / closing section 16 reaches the position immediately before the closing position, the muffler 32 is moved to the fixed body 14. When the opening / closing section 16 is further swung in the closing direction, the coil spring 30 generates an elastic force to return the opening / closing section 16 to the opening direction. Here, the opening / closing portion 16 is not deformed so as to be inclined with respect to the axis S, and the hook portions 34 of the engagement claws 34, 36 of the opening / closing portion 16 are not deformed.
If B and 36C are substantially parallel to axis S, opening / closing section 1
When 6 moves to the closed position, the hook portion 34B and the hook portion 36C are maintained at the same position in the opening and closing direction M. In this state, when the engaging claws 34, 36 only insert a part of the distal end side into the insertion holes 40A, 40B, respectively, the inclined portion 34
A and 36A are in contact with the inner peripheral edges of the insertion holes 40A and 40B. Thereafter, when the opening / closing portion 16 is further swung in the closing direction against the elastic force of the coil spring 30, the inclined portion 3
The inclined surfaces of 4A and 36A are insertion holes 40A and 40B, respectively.
Is pressed, and the engagement plate 40 held at the engagement position by the coil spring 52 is slid in the release direction R. Then, when the engaging claws 34, 36 are inserted into the insertion holes 40A, 40B to the depth of the concave portions, the engaging plate 40 slides in the engaging direction L by the urging force of the coil spring 52, enters the concave portions, and enters the insertion holes. Edge portions of 40A and 40B engage with hook portions 34B and 36C. At this time,
Since the opening / closing portion 16 is urged in the opening direction by the coil spring 30, the hook portions 34B and 36C are pressed against the engaging plates 40, respectively, so that the opening / closing portion 16 closes the opening portion 38 of the fixed body 14. Is held. As shown in FIG. 4, when the opening / closing section 16 moves to the closed position, the correction member 46 causes the upper end 46 </ b> A to abut on the lower end of the swinging tip of the opening / closing section 16, thereby causing the opening / closing section 16 to move.
Further restricts swinging in the closing direction. At this time, as shown in FIG.
It is turned on by 2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6, a case where the opening / closing portion 16 deformed so as to be inclined with respect to the axis S is swung to the closed position will be described. When the opening / closing section 16 deformed so that the side end on the release direction R side approaches the fixed side body 14 is moved to the closed position, the opening / closing section 16 and the correcting member 46 are moved.
When the opening and closing section 16 abut, only the abutting section of the opening / closing section 16 with the correction member 46 is held at the closed position. On the other hand, when the opening / closing portion 16 thus deformed comes into contact with the correction member 46, the fixed side body from the correction member 46 in the opening / closing portion 16 to one end on the release direction R side in the horizontal width direction T with respect to the closing position. 14, the distance from the correction member 46 to the other end in the engagement direction L is away from the closed position toward the open position. In this state, since both the engagement claw 34 and the engagement claw 36 are held at the open position side with respect to the closed position, the engagement claw 34 has not yet been engaged with the engagement plate 40, and only one of the engagement claw 34 has been engaged. Is the engagement plate 4
There is no single latch state engaged with 0.

However, even if the opening / closing section 16 is deformed as described above, when the correction member 46 is in contact with the opening / closing section 16, the detection projection 42 turns on the detection switch 44. When the pressing of the switch 16 is stopped in the closing direction, the opening / closing section 16 swings in the opening direction due to the elastic force of the coil spring 30.
Turns off. In addition, if the detection protrusion 42 is arranged so as to be slightly closer to the coil spring 30 in the lateral width direction T than on the same straight line orthogonal to the correction member 46 and the axis S, the opening / closing section 1
Even if 6 comes into contact with the correction member 46, the detection projection 42 can prevent the detection switch 44 from being turned on unless both the engagement claws 34 and 36 are engaged with the engagement plate 40.

In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the opening / closing section 1
6 is tilted with respect to the axis S, and when the opening / closing portion 16 is deformed so that the side end on the release direction R side approaches the fixed side body 14, the opening / closing portion 16 is held in the closed position by the lock mechanism. Since it is not performed, the operator can easily understand that the opening / closing portion 16 that is pressing in the closing direction is deformed. In such a case, the opening / closing section 16 deformed as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Tip 46 of the correction member 46
It can be corrected so that it is parallel to the axis S with A as a fulcrum.
Therefore, as shown by the solid line, the entire opening / closing portion 16 can be moved to the closed position to engage both the engagement claw 34 and the engagement claw 36 with the engagement plate 40, and the opening / closing portion 16 can be correctly positioned by the lock mechanism. Held in the closed position.

Next, as shown in FIG.
The case where the side end in the engagement direction L side is deformed so as to approach the fixed side body 14 will be described. Opening / closing section 16
Is moved to the closed position, one of the engagement claws 34
Are not engaged with the engagement plate 40, and only the other engagement claw 36 is engaged with the engagement plate 40. In this state, the opening / closing section 16 holds the engaging claw 3 in the width direction T by the elastic force of the coil spring 52.
6 to the release direction R side end is held on the open position side with respect to the closed position, so that it does not come into contact with the correction member 46.
Therefore, the opening / closing section 16 is in a single latch state in which only the other engagement claw 36 is engaged with the engagement plate 40, and a large gap is formed between the opening / closing section 16 and the fixed side body 14 as compared with the case where it is correctly held at the closed position. Is formed. When only the engagement claw 36 of the opening / closing part 16 is in the one-latch state in which the engagement claw 36 engages with the engagement plate 40, the distance from the engagement claw 36 of the opening / closing part 16 to the side end on the release direction R side is the open position from the closed position. As shown in FIG. 9, since the lever 44A of the detection switch 44 does not move to the operating position by the detection protrusion 42 and the detection switch 44 does not turn on as shown in FIG. 9, the recording operation of the image forming apparatus is possible. Does not.

When the detection switch 44 is not turned on, the control unit displays to the operator by means of the light emitting diode of the operation unit 24, the liquid crystal panel and the like that the opening / closing unit 16 is not properly held at the closed position. The operator can easily understand that the opening / closing section 16 is not properly held in the closed position.

In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment described above, only the case where the correction member 46 is disposed on the fixed body 14 has been described. However, such a correction member 46 may be provided on the opening / closing section 16 side. . That is, the correction member of the present embodiment restricts the opening / closing section 16 from swinging in the closing direction when one end of the opening / closing section 16 in the release direction R is deformed so as to approach the fixed body 14. It is only necessary that the engagement protrusions 34 prevent only one of the engagement claws 34 from engaging with the engagement plate 40 and prevent the detection protrusion 42 from turning on the detection switch 44. Further, the shape of the correction member 46 does not need to be a projection, and may be another shape such as a hemisphere or a block. The mounting position of the correction member 46 may be provided in the vicinity of the detection protrusion 42 when viewed in the direction perpendicular to the axis S (FIG. 4), and does not necessarily have to be at the same position as the detection protrusion 42 as in the above structure.

Further, a correcting member having the same function as the correcting member 46 may be additionally provided at an arbitrary position from the engaging claw 36 to the side end of the opening / closing portion 16 on the releasing direction R side. When a corrective member is added,
It is also possible to prevent a one-sided latch in which only 6 engages with the engagement plate 40.

(Structure of Second Embodiment) Next, an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment, other members except for the engagement claws 96 and 98, the detection protrusion 92, and the detection switch 94 shown in FIGS. Since the apparatus has the same configuration as the apparatus, members having the same configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

On the back surface of the opening / closing section 16 facing the inside of the fixed body 14, a detection projection 92 protruding in the direction of the fixed body 14 is arranged. A detection switch 94 is arranged on the movement locus of the detection protrusion 92.

The engaging claws 96, 98 arranged in the opening / closing section 16
Are formed in a substantially L shape. An inclined portion 96 </ b> A is provided at the tip of one engagement claw 96. This inclined portion 96A
The opening / closing direction M of the opening / closing portion 16 is provided on one side end face of the engaging claw 96 in the lateral width direction T away from the coil spring 30.
The surface is inclined with respect to. At the base of the inclined portion 96A of the engaging claw 96, a side end surface of the engaging claw 96 is bent in a direction approaching the coil spring 30 to form a plane substantially parallel to the axis S and facing the opening direction. A hook 96B is provided. Also, at the tip of the other engaging claw 98, an inclined portion 98A is provided similarly to the engaging claw 96. At the base of the inclined portion 98A of the engaging claw 98, a blocking guide portion 98B is provided on the side end surface of the engaging claw 98, which is substantially parallel to the opening and closing direction M and has a plane having a predetermined length in the opening and closing direction M. Further, a hook portion 98C is provided on the base side of the blocking guide portion 98B, similarly to the engagement claw 96.

Here, when the opening / closing portion 16 is not deformed so as to be inclined with respect to the axis S, the surface of the hook portion 96B substantially parallel to the axial direction S and the axial direction S of the hook portion 98C.
Are substantially the same in the opening / closing direction M.

As in the first embodiment, the fixed side body 14 has an engaging plate 40 at a position facing the engaging claws 96 and 98.
Is arranged. In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, when the opening / closing portion 16 that is not deformed so as to be inclined with respect to the axis S is swung from the open position to the closed position, as shown in FIG. Both 96 and 98 are respectively engaged with the engagement plate 40, and the entire opening / closing portion 16 is held at the closed position of the opening 38 that forms a slight gap with the fixed body 14. In this closed position, the lower end of the swinging tip of the opening / closing section 16 is substantially parallel to the axis S.

The detection projection 92 and the detection switch 94
Are the engaging claws 9 in the opening / closing section 16 in the width direction T, respectively.
6 and a side end in the release direction R. Here, similarly to the first embodiment, the detection projection 92 is provided when the plane parallel to the axis S of the hook portion 96B reaches the position of the lower surface of the engagement plate 40 in the opening / closing direction M, that is, when the engagement claw 96 is When reaching the closed position together with the opening / closing section 16, the lever 94A of the detection switch 94 is pushed to the operating position shown in FIG.

Next, the dimensional requirements of the engagement claw 98 will be described. In FIG. 11, the opening / closing portion 16 in which the side end in the releasing direction R in the width direction T is deformed so as to approach the fixed side body 14 with respect to the closed position is indicated by a solid line, and FIG. The open / close portions 90 in which the 96 and 98 are engaged with the engagement plate 40 and are properly held in the closed position are indicated by two-dot chain lines, respectively.

In FIG. 11, k is the length of the engaging guide 98 in the opening and closing direction M of the blocking guide surface 98B, and m is the undeformed opening and closing portion 90 on the extension of the blocking guide surface 98B.
Is the distance from the lower end of the opening / closing section 16 to the lower end of the deformed opening / closing section 16, n is the distance in the opening / closing direction M from the hook 96B to the lower surface of the engagement plate 104 when the opening / closing section 16 is deformed, and a is the hook 9
8C indicates the length in the width direction T, and b indicates the length of the hook portion 96B in the width direction T.

Here, the blocking guide surface 9 of the engaging claw 98
8B and the hook portion 98C satisfy the conditions of the following expressions (1) and (2).

K ≧ m + n (1) a ≧ b (2) (Operation of the Second Embodiment) Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

When the opening / closing section 90 in the open position is swung in the closing direction, the coil spring 30 is moved to the fixed body when the opening / closing section 16 reaches the position immediately before the closing position, as in the first embodiment. 14, and further swings the opening / closing section 16 in the closing direction, the coil spring 30 generates an elastic force to return the opening / closing section 16 to the opening direction. Here, if the opening / closing portion 16 is not deformed so as to be inclined with respect to the axis S, and the lower end of the swinging tip portion of the opening / closing portion 16 is substantially parallel to the axis S, the opening / closing portion 16 is closed. When moving to the position, the hook portion 96B of the engaging claw 96 and the hook portion 98C of the engaging claw 98 are maintained at the same position in the opening and closing direction M, so that the engaging claw 98 is inserted to the depth of the hook shape 98C. At the same time as being inserted into the hole 40B,
Is inserted into the insertion hole 40B to the depth of the hook shape 96B, and the edges of the insertion holes 40A and 40B engage with the hook portions 96B and 98C, respectively. At this time, the detection switch 94 is turned from off to on by the detection protrusion 92 as shown in FIG.

Next, a case where the opening / closing portion 16 deformed so as to be inclined with respect to the axis S is swung to the closed position will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, when the opening / closing portion 16 deformed so that the side end in the release direction R approaches the fixed body 14, the hook portion 9 of the engaging claw 96 is moved to the closed position.
6B reaches the same position as the lower surface of the engagement plate 40 in the opening / closing direction M first. However, when the engaging claw 98 makes the blocking guide portion 98B abut on the edge portion of the insertion hole 40B,
Since the engagement plate 40 is prevented from sliding in the engagement direction L due to the urging force of the coil spring 52, the engagement plate 4
0 is prevented from engaging with both engagement claws 96, 98. At this time, the detection projection 92 is
Since 6B is located closer to the fixed body 14 with respect to the lower surface of the engagement plate 40, the detection switch 94 is turned on. However, if the operator stops pressing the opening / closing portion 90 in the closing direction in this state, the opening / closing portion 16 swings in the opening direction due to the elastic force of the coil spring 30, and the detection switch 94 is immediately turned off. .

Further, from the state shown in FIG. 11, the operator presses a portion of the opening / closing portion 16 on the side of the engaging direction L in the lateral width direction T in the closing direction, so that the engaging claw 98 is inserted by the blocking guide portion 98B into the insertion hole 40B. , The two engagement claws 96 and 98 can be easily engaged with the engagement plate 40.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the opening / closing portion 90 deformed so that the side end in the engaging direction L approaches the fixed side body 14, the engaging claw 9 is moved.
The hook portion 98 of the engaging claw 98 with respect to the hook portion 96B of No. 6
C first reaches the same position as the lower surface of the engagement plate 40 in the opening / closing direction M. Accordingly, the engagement plate 40 slides in the engagement direction L by the urging force of the coil spring 52, and
8 is engaged with the engagement plate 40, so that the
Becomes a single latch state.

As described above, only the engagement claw 98 is provided on the engagement plate 40.
In the one-latch state, the opening / closing section 16 is fixed to the fixed body 14 as compared with the case where the opening / closing section 16 is correctly held in the closed position.
Is formed between them. However, even in this case, as shown in FIG. 12, since the detection switch 94 is not turned on by the detection protrusion 92, the recording operation of the image forming apparatus cannot be performed.

When the detection switch 94 is not turned on, the control section informs the operator that the opening / closing section 16 is not properly held at the closed position by using the light emitting diode, the liquid crystal panel, etc. of the operation section 24 shown in FIG. Therefore, the operator can easily understand that the opening / closing section 16 is not correctly held at the closed position, and pushes the opening direction R side of the opening / closing section 16 so that both engaging claws 96 and 98 are engaged with the engaging plate. 40.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment described above, only the case where the blocking guide surface 98B is formed on only one engagement claw 98 has been described.
May have the same shape as one of the engagement claws 98, and the blocking guide surface may be formed on both of the pair of engagement claws 96, 98. As described above, when the blocking guide surfaces are formed on both of the pair of engagement claws 96 and 98, a one-sided latch in which only the engagement claw 98 is engaged with the engagement plate 40 can be prevented.

[0065]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, if both of the pair of engaging members engage with the engaged member and the opening / closing portion is not properly held at the closed position,
The opening / closing section does not move to the detection position of the opening / closing section detection switch member. As a result, for example, when the switch member is an interlock switch that shuts off power supply by a power supply unit arranged inside the device when the switch unit is not detected,
When the opening / closing section is not properly held at the closed position, the power supply by the power supply section is reliably shut off.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where an opening / closing unit is opened in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the straightening member, the lock mechanism, and the opening / closing unit properly held at the closed position by the lock mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the opening / closing unit in FIG. 4 operates a detection switch in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a correction member, a lock mechanism, and an opening / closing unit held in a single latch state by the lock mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a correcting operation using the correcting member according to the first embodiment of the present invention to set the opening / closing section from the one-latch state of FIG. 6 to a correct closing position.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a correction member, a lock mechanism, and an opening / closing unit held in a single latch state by the lock mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the opening / closing unit of FIG. 8 does not turn on the detection switch in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front cross-sectional view of a lock mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention and an opening / closing unit properly held at a closed position by the lock mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a front sectional view of a lock mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention and an opening / closing unit held in a one-latch state by the lock mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a front sectional view of a lock mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention and an opening / closing unit held in a single latch state by the lock mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Device main body 14 Fixed side body 16 Opening / closing part 18 Connecting shaft 20 Paper discharging part 20A Fixed side discharging part 20B Opening / closing side discharging part 20C Opening / closing side discharging part 22 Step part 29 Side panel part 34 Engaging claw 36 Engaging claw 38 Opening 40 Engagement plate 42 Detection protrusion 44 Detection switch 46 Correcting member 50 Holder 52 Coil spring 54 Release member 58 Image forming cartridge 92 Detection protrusion 94 Detection switch 96 Engagement claw 98 Engagement claw

Claims (3)

[Claims] A fixed body that forms a part of an apparatus main body; and an opening and closing unit that is movably supported from a closed position that closes an opening provided in the fixed body to an open position that opens the opening. A pair of engagement members disposed on one of the fixed body and the opening / closing section; and a pair of engagement members disposed on the other of the fixed body and the opening / closing section when the opening / closing section moves to the closed position. An engaged member that engages with both of the joining members to hold the opening / closing portion at the closed position, an opening / closing portion detection switch member that detects the opening / closing portion at the closed position, and both of the pair of engaging members are A blocking unit that does not move the opening / closing unit to the closed position until the opening / closing unit is engaged with the engaged member. 2. The blocking means prevents a part of the opening / closing portion deformed in the direction of the closed position from moving from the closed position toward the fixed body, and also prevents another part of the opening / closing portion from moving. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a correction member configured to be movable toward the closed position. 3. A blocking guide provided on the engaging member, wherein the blocking guide does not move the engaged member to the engaging position with the engaging member until the engaging member reaches the closed position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: